The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Voice on the Wire, by Eustace Hale Ball

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Title: The Voice on the Wire

Author: Eustace Hale Ball

Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5672]
Posting Date: June 12, 2009

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE VOICE ON THE WIRE ***

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THE VOICE ON THE WIRE

By Eustace Hale Ball

CHAPTER I. WHEN THREE IS A MYSTERY

"Mr. Shirley is waiting for you in the grill-room, sir. Just step this
way, sir, and down the stairs."

The large man awkwardly followed the servant to the cosey grill-room on
the lower floor of the club house. He felt that every man of the little
groups about the Flemish tables must be saying: "What's he doing here?"

"I wish Monty Shirley would meet me once in a while in the back room of
a ginmill, where I'd feel comfortable," muttered the unhappy visitor.
"This joint is too classy. But that's his game to play--"

He reached the sought-for one, however, and exclaimed eagerly: "By
Jiminy, Monty. I'm glad to find you--it would have been my luck after
this day, to get here too late."

He was greeted with a grip that made even his generous hand wince, as
the other arose to smile a welcome.

"Hello, Captain Cronin. You're a good sight for a grouchy man's eyes!
Sit down and confide the brand of your particular favorite poison to our
Japanese Dionysius!"

The Captain sighed with relief, as he obeyed.

"Bar whiskey is good enough for an old timer like me. Don't tell me you
have the blues--your face isn't built that way!"

"Gospel truth, Captain. I've been loafing around this club--nothing to
do for a month. Bridge, handball, highballs, and yarns! I'm actually a
nervous wreck because my nerves haven't had any work to do!"

"You're the healthiest invalid I've seen since the hospital days in the
Civil War. But don't worry about something to do. I've some job now.
It's dolled up with all them frills you like: millions, murders and
mysteries! If this don't keep you awake, you'll have nightmares for the
next six months. Do you want it?"

"I'm tickled to death. Spill it!"

"Monty, it's the g